Deputy Award

What:
A Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy received the Governor’s Medal of Heroism for saving a woman’s life on January 2, 2018.

When:
The award was presented at about 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2018.

Where:
The award was presented by Governor Rick Scott at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Bob Thomas Equestrian Center Pavilion, located at 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North in Tampa, during the meeting of the Governor and Cabinet.

Why/How:
A Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy received the Governor’s Medal of Heroism for saving a woman’s life on January 2, 2018.

The award was presented by Governor Rick Scott at about 10:00 a.m. at the Florida State Fairgrounds, Bob Thomas Equestrian Center Pavilion, located at 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North in Tampa, during the meeting of the Governor and Cabinet.

On Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at about 11:50 p.m., Deputy Damon Laney was driving to an off duty work detail, northbound across the top span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Deputy Laney noticed a car parked on the roadway along the side of the bridge with its hazards on so he turned on his emergency lights and started to pull behind the vehicle. The driver, a 50-year-old Tampa woman exited the vehicle and ran towards the outside barrier wall of the bridge. As she attempted to climb over the wall and jump, Deputy Laney having no time to exit his vehicle, used his vehicle to trap her legs between the push bumper of his vehicle and the wall. When Deputy Laney exited his vehicle, the woman freed herself and was almost completely over the wall. Deputy Laney grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back over the wall to safety. The woman was not injured during the incident and was taken into protective custody.

Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Deputy Laney’s family were present at the ceremony to take part in Deputy Laney receiving the Governor’s Medal of Heroism.

What:
A Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputy pulled a woman off the ledge of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, likely saving her life.

When:
The incident occurred about 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

Where:
The incident occurred at the top span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge located at I-275, in Hillsborough County.

Why/How:

According to deputies, Deputy Damon Laney was driving to an off duty work detail, northbound across the top span of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge at about 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

Deputy Laney noticed a car parked on the roadway along the side of the bridge with its hazards on. Deputy Laney turned on his emergency lights and started to pull behind the vehicle. The driver, a 50-year-old Tampa woman exited the vehicle and ran towards the outside barrier wall of the bridge. As she attempted to climb over the wall and jump, Deputy Laney having no time to exit his vehicle, used his vehicle to trap her legs between the push bumper and the wall. When Deputy Laney exited his vehicle, the woman freed herself and was completely over the wall with the exception of one arm. Deputy Laney grabbed her by the waist and pulled her back over the wall where she continued to struggle until being handcuffed.